Page 156 of Home to the Hollow

Lucy gives me a bright smile and I return it, grateful to him for explaining. The older the supernaturals are, the harder it is to get them to understand that my vocation is as much science as it is magic in this day and age. Most humans are unaware of our existence, but it doesn’t meanallof them are, and there’s still a possibility a idiotic bounty hunter could have been targeting their group. That kind of enemy wouldn’t be concerned about whether or not his weapon killed other humans if it didn’t hit his target exactly.

Supe hunters are terrifying, but they’re less common than rogue private military companies and scientists who’d love to get their hands on us.

“Then what do you suggest we do, Dr. Hamilton?” Julia asks wryly.

Her cool efficiency is appealing—I’ll give her that. She smells like some sort of reptilian, but I can’t get a read on her outside of that. “I’ll have Boone bring magpie to my office after she’s rested up. As for the rest of you, I’m going to fly home and grab some supplies so I can do what I need here. I don’t need all of your traipsing around town inviting questions.”

The rainbow haired Guardian nods. “While you are away, Saoirse will contact the Society. They will want an update on this situation as well as to confirm the orders we were given to stay in Whistler’s Hollow for the time being.”

“Aye, Julia! You dinna mention you wereshacking uphere for a while,” Seer grumbles. “That explains why Boone built the ruddy biggest place he feckin’ could, though.”

She’s not wrong.

“Guys, we can iron all of this out later.” Lucy pulls away from my side as he walks towards the kitchen. “I’m going to make breakfast. The rest of you—off you go to your assignments. If you don’t have one, for the love of everything holy,take a shower. This place stinks like a frat house.”

I beam at his back as he leaves us. From the moment I met Jolene Whitley, I knew she’d be good for Lucy and I, but this spunk is better than I ever could have imagined. I’m watching him blossom right in front of my eyes and I adore thehellout of it.

“You heard him… scoot!” I add as my wings pop free and I head for the door.

I have a good feeling about this turn of events, even if it started with magpie getting magically roofied. Something wonderful is forming and I can’t wait.

Week Three

Presley got our girl and all the others’ samples sent off to a Society lab in the city via courier this weekend. He acted like he wasn’t concerned, but I know him better than anyone else. Nothing in sugarplum’s physical exam gave him pause, and no one had an indication that someone had assaulted them during the time they lost between the club and Seer’s house.

Still, the whole thing is weird, especially paired with the shadow people who are rustling around Jolene’s bushes. She insisted on going to school, so Edgar made her promise to stay in the building or haveallof their companions with her at all times. She grumbled, but I think the incident shook her enough that it was only a token protest, not a full-fledged battle. Our girl realized she was never going to be able to keep her night time lesson schedule if she didn’t agree to keepingsomesort of protection around, and the dogs, cat, and eagle were less obtrusive than one of us standing guard all the time.

After we finished our appointments for the day, I headed to the farm for a meeting with Amiri and he headed to the city to get test results in person. Boone had some sketchy meetings on his books, and the Irish lass was off on some Society mission with her new pals.

Imagine my surprise when I received a panicked call from Edgar demanding Presley and I bring the portable x-ray to Sugarplum’s studio ASAP.

“She’s stubborn as a day old mule, pup! Do youknowwhat she said when I told her they could set the damned thing to explode? Do you?!”

Giving Eliot and Amiri a strained smile, I reply, “No, I don’t know what she said, Edgar.”

“She said ‘it doesn’t seem to tick, Captain Hook; I think we’re okay!’ and hung up.”

I can’t help but laugh and his alarmed cries escalate on the other end. I don’t know what he expected from a woman as self-reliant as Jolene, but cowering in fear would never be her response. She trained for the fucking FBI and she can shoot the wings off a dragonfly from a thousand yards. Our girl isnotthe typical Whistler’s Hollow female. “What do you want me to do?”

“Find Hamilton and get your asses over there…now!I’m on my way back from Burkettsville. I left my clients with an associate and I’ll be there as fast as I can without getting a ticket.”

As if any cop in the state is going to stop Judge Edgar Olivier Boone III’s Shelby, as it flies by at a hundred miles an hour.

“Okay.” I turn to my companions sheepishly as I hang up. “I’m sorry, gentleman. There appears to be an emergency in town that requires me and my portable x-ray. Can we reschedule?”

The handsome royal merely smirks at me as if he knows something I don't. “Please. Take care of your family and we will meet again tomorrow, Wolfie. Family is always paramount.”

“I’ll call you in the morning,” Eliot grumbles as he tosses back his bourbon. He doesn’t look happy, but I’m sure he heard Boone shouting like a crazy person, so he knows better than to make a big deal.

Standing, I gather my things and head out to the barn to load up the machine. I’ve got to call Prez and see where he is, then get downtown. Hopefully, Jolene was right and the fucking thing wasn’t a bomb.

I have no idea how Guardians do this shit because my hands are shaking.

* * *

Prez arrived backin town by the time I got everything ready, so I picked him up on the way. He isn’t nearly as worried as Edgar, but I can tell he’s not happy. The techs in the city had brief answers yet, and he’s not thrilled that he drove up just to be told ‘these things take time.’ When we get to the studio, he helps me unload the machine and cart it inside.

The chest in questions looks like a pirate chest, and it’s sitting smack dab in the center of the room. Sugarplum is pacing back and forth as she stares at the thing and her servals are stalking the perimeter with their tails poofed up. Kali and Hecate are following her as she walks, subtly steering her away from the mysterious box when she gets too close. That’s probably their connection to Boone—he’s making sure they keep her far enough away that she’s less likely to be killed if the box goes ka-boom.

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